Writing Guides for Students

When you need help with writing and finding more information about what you're writing about, you can consult these helpful writing guides created by the TC3 Writing and Research Center or you can drop in at Writing and Research Tutoring Services on the second level of the Baker Commons. No appointment is necessary.

• Pre-writing - The first step to writing your paper should be to generate and organize ideas expressed in words. This stage is called “prewriting”.
• Choosing a Topic for an Argumentation Paper - Gathering topic ideas, selecting and reflecting with a prewriting activity on Generating Arguments.
• Compare and Contrast - This type of essay is composed by using comparisons (where similarities are enumerated and explained) and contrasts (where differences are discussed). This can be accomplished in one of two ways: point-by-point organization, which moves back and forth between the items being compared; or block organization, which discusses one item fully before moving on to the next.
• Tips for Thesis Statements - A thesis statement is the main idea of your paper. It is the 'message' that you are conveying to the reader about your chosen topic. Often, a thesis statement is expressed in one sentence at the end of the first paragraph of your paper.
• Introductions - The introduction is the first part of your paper. It generates interest, helps your reader become more familiar with your main topic, and ends with your thesis or main idea. Starting off with a strong introduction will lead to a strong paper.
• Conclusions - Include a brief summary of the paper’s main points. In your concluding paragraph, it is wise to make connections to what you have already stated in your paper. This reiteration helps your reader remember your main points.
• Revising and Rethinking the Paper - Writing your paper doesn’t end with the last sentence of your draft. As soon as you’ve typed that final punctuation mark, you should dive right into another crucial step in the process of writing: Revision. This is the stage when you read your paper closely and improve on it as you consider the following important issues and questions.
• Proofreading - Following the revision stage (when the high-order issues are smoothed out), proofreading is the last stage of the writing process. Because proofreading is mechanical in nature, it requires practice and the development of precise 'surface-level' reading skills.
• MLA - Provides examples of In-Text/Parenthetical and Works-Cited.
• APA - Provides examples of In-Text/Parenthetical and APA Reference List.
• ASA - Provides examples of In-Text/Parenthetical and ASA References.
• Chicago - With the Chicago citation style, you can use either footnotes or endnotes. Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page that contains the information cited, while endnotes are all gathered on a separate page at the end of the paper. In both cases, you will have to place a numeral in superscript at the end of the sentence containing the information or quote from the source. Provides examples.

Last update: Tuesday, January 24, 2012